Page 54 of Toy Boy
She throws her head back and lets out another, slightly more frustrated sigh, and I fear the mood is now heading back in a direction I don’t want it to go.
“Why does everything have to be so complicated?”
“Is it, complicated?”
She hugs her knees to her chest, resting her chin on them, her eyes back out to sea. “More than I want it to be. And it’s not just Hanna, there’s Scott, too.”
“What about him?” I’m trying so hard not to let the irritation show in my voice.
She saw him today.
She saw him. She talked to him. What did they talkabout…?
She turns her head to look at me. “He wants me back.”
Okay. Now we’re getting somewhere. But what she’s just told me, it’s hardly a surprise. Still, it doesn’t stop my stomach from giving a noticeable jolt. “He does? He actually said that?”
“Not in so many words, but… We’re unfinished business. That’s what he said.”
“And what about you? What doyouthink?”
This time, when she looks at me, she’s smiling. Really smiling. And her eyes are shining again, and I can feel the mood lifting once more. “I’m sitting here, with you, so, do you want to hazard a guess as to what I think?”
That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. What Ineededto hear. It’s the response I’d hoped for.
“Alright…”
She leans towards me, and I edge a little closer, until her lips are almost touching mine. She smells of peppermint and flowers, I don’t know what kind, exactly, but it’s an incredibly distinctive perfume she’s wearing. One I don’t think I’ve ever come across before, but then, I’m no expert on perfume, am I?
“I have no intention of going backwards, Xander. Look ahead, that’s what I say.”
I smile, my hand sliding around the back of her neck as I gently pull her forward, until our mouths clash together in a kiss that builds up slowly, gradually growing in intensity until we’re wrapped in each other’s arms, and there’s only one way this night is going now…
Scott
The beer garden at The Swan is far too busy tonight, and I’m not quite sure how I ended up here after an exhausting day at the hospital. I think I just needed a distraction, and going straight home was never going to give me that.
As soon as I got here people wanted to talk, catch up; thank me for the party last night, so I’ve spent most of the evening in the company of others, all of them genuinely glad to see me back in Beachcastle Bay. Which was nice, to be honest. But they’ve all left now, and as I glance at my watch I see it’s just gone a quarter-past-ten. I’ve brought a ton of paperwork home from the hospital, and I need to work through that before tomorrow, so I should be thinking about leaving soon, but going back to an empty house still isn’t an attractive option. I’m not tired, my head’s still full of Megan and her new man… No. There’s nothing going on, she was just being friendly, surely? Just helping a newcomer to the Bay settle in, that’s the kind of woman Megan is. But even as I’m thinking the words, I know they aren’t true. She’s moving on, without me, and that fucking hurts.
“Scott!”
My head shoots up at the sound of a familiar voice, and there’s Tania standing by my table, a glass of something fizzy in one hand, a menu in the other.
“Hey, Tania.”
“Are you on your own?” she asks, pulling out a chair and sitting down opposite me before I have a chance to answer her.
“Erm, yes. Yes I am. You?”
I think the fact she’s just parked herself at my table kind of answers that question. “I felt like something rustic and filling for dinner, and I can’t be bothered to cook, or go into town for something to eat, so, here I am.” She scans the menu while she sips her drink. Prosecco, I’m guessing. I hate to categorise people, but she looks like someone who enjoys a glass of prosecco. “Dean does the best fish and chips, but I’m leaning towards the steak and ale pie with mash and gravy.”
I raise an eyebrow, and she looks at me, cocking her head and smiling slightly.
“What? You think I stopped eating stodgy food just because I managed to drop a few pounds? A little bit of what you fancy does you good, remember? And tonight I fancy steak and ale pie.”
I laugh, because I’m genuinely glad that she’s here. I was fine with eating alone, but I’d much rather have company. “I think I’ll join you.”
“Good.” She lays the menu down on the table and sits back in her chair, crossing her legs and sipping her drink, her eyes meeting mine. “So, how’s your day been?”